Systems, apparatus and methods for association in multi-hop networks

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and devices for communicating data in a wireless communications network are described herein. One innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of communicating in a wireless network. The wireless network includes an access point and a relay. The method includes indicating to a client, at the relay, a network address of the access point. The method further includes receiving an association request, from the client, addressed to the access point. The method further includes forwarding the association request to the access point.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.application Ser. No. 13/756,447, filed Jan. 31, 2013, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/747,886, filed Jan.23, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/698,430, filed Sep. 7, 2012, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present application relates generally to wireless communications,and more specifically to systems, methods, and devices for using a relayin a wireless communication network.

2. Background

In many telecommunication systems, communications networks are used toexchange messages among several interacting spatially-separated devices.Networks can be classified according to geographic scope, which couldbe, for example, a metropolitan area, a local area, or a personal area.Such networks would be designated respectively as a wide area network(WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), local area network (LAN),wireless local area network (WLAN), or personal area network (PAN).Networks also differ according to the switching/bridging technique usedto interconnect the various network nodes and devices (e.g., circuitswitching vs. packet switching), the type of physical media employed fortransmission (e.g., wired vs. wireless), and the set of communicationprotocols used (e.g., Internet protocol suite, SONET (SynchronousOptical Networking), Ethernet, etc.).

Wireless networks are often preferred when the network elements aremobile and thus have dynamic connectivity needs, or if the networkarchitecture is formed in an ad hoc, rather than fixed, topology.Wireless networks employ intangible physical media in an unguidedpropagation mode using electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave,infra-red, optical, etc., frequency bands. Wireless networksadvantageously facilitate user mobility and rapid field deployment whencompared to fixed wired networks.

The devices in a wireless network can transmit/receive informationbetween each other. In some aspects, the devices on a wireless networkcan have a limited transmission range. Relay devices can extend therange of a wireless network, but can increase overhead such as, forexample, association, encryption, and filtering overhead. Thus, improvedsystems, methods, and devices for associating, encrypting, and filteringare desired for wireless networks having at least one relay node.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices of the invention each have severalaspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed bythe claims which follow, some features will now be discussed briefly.After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading thesection entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how thefeatures of this invention provide advantages that include improvedcommunications between access points and stations in a wireless network.

One innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes a method ofcommunicating in a wireless network. The wireless network includes anaccess point and a relay. The method includes indicating to a client, atthe relay, a network address of the access point. The method furtherincludes receiving an association request, from the client, addressed tothe access point. The method further includes transmitting a messageincluding a relay control element.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes a method ofcommunicating in a wireless network. The method includes encrypting amessage based, at least in part, on an original source address, and afinal destination address. The method further includes transmitting theencrypted message to a relay for delivery to the final destinationaddress.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes a deviceconfigured to communicate in a wireless network. The wireless networkincludes an access point and a relay. The device includes a processorconfigured to indicate to a client, a network address of the accesspoint. The device further includes a receiver configured to receive anassociation request, from the client, addressed to the access point. Thedevice includes a transmitter configured to transmit a message includinga relay control element.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes a deviceconfigured to communicate in a wireless network. The device includes aprocessor configured to encrypt a message based, at least in part, on anoriginal source address, and a final destination address. The devicefurther includes a transmitter configured to transmit the encryptedmessage to a relay for delivery to the final destination address.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes anapparatus for communicating in a wireless network. The wireless networkincludes an access point and a relay. The apparatus includes means forindicating to a client, a network address of the access point. Theapparatus further includes means for receiving an association request,from the client, addressed to the access point. The apparatus furtherincludes means for forwarding the association request to the accesspoint.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes anapparatus for communicating in a wireless network. The apparatusincludes means for encrypting a message based, at least in part, on anoriginal source address, and a final destination address. The apparatusfurther includes means for transmitting the encrypted message to a relayfor delivery to the final destination address.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes anon-transitory computer-readable medium including code that, whenexecuted, causes an apparatus to indicate, to a client, a networkaddress of the access point. The medium further includes code that, whenexecuted, causes the apparatus to receive an association request, fromthe client, addressed to the access point. The medium further includescode that, when executed, causes the apparatus to forward theassociation request to the access point.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes anon-transitory computer-readable medium including code that, whenexecuted, causes an apparatus to encrypt a message based, at least inpart, on an original source address, and a final destination address.The medium further includes code that, when executed, causes theapparatus to transmit the encrypted message to a relay for delivery tothe final destination address.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes a method ofcommunicating in a wireless network. The wireless network includes anaccess point and a relay. The method includes receiving, at the accesspoint, an association request from a client. The association request isforwarded by a relay. The method further includes determining a successor failure of association. The method further includes transmitting tothe relay, when association fails, an indication that one or moresubsequent messages from the client should be filtered.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes a deviceconfigured to communicate in a wireless network. The wireless networkincludes an access point and a relay. The device includes a receiverconfigured to receive an association request from a client, forwarded bythe relay. The device further includes a processor configured todetermine a success or failure of association. The device furtherincludes a transmitter configured to transmit to the relay, whenassociation fails, an indication that one or more subsequent messagesfrom the client should be filtered.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes anapparatus for communicating in a wireless network. The wireless networkincludes an access point and a relay. The apparatus includes means forreceiving, at the access point, an association request from a client,forwarded by the relay. The apparatus further includes means fordetermining a success or failure of association. The apparatus furtherincludes means for transmitting to the relay, when association fails, anindication that one or more subsequent messages from the client shouldbe filtered.

Another innovative aspect of the present disclosure includes anon-transitory computer-readable medium including code that, whenexecuted, causes an apparatus to receive an association request from aclient, forwarded by the relay. The medium further includes code that,when executed, causes the apparatus to determine a success or failure ofassociation. The medium further includes code that, when executed,causes the apparatus to transmit to the relay, when association fails,an indication that one or more subsequent messages from the clientshould be filtered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system.

FIG. 2A shows another exemplary wireless communication system in whichaspects of the present disclosure can be employed.

FIG. 2B shows another exemplary wireless communication system in whichaspects of the present disclosure can be employed.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary functional block diagram of a wireless devicethat can be employed within the wireless communication systems of FIGS.1, 2A, and/or 2B.

FIG. 4A illustrates a wireless communications system, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a wireless communications system, according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 4C illustrates a wireless communications system, according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless communications system, according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of communicating in awireless network.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a wireless device, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another exemplary method of communicating in awireless network.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a wireless device, in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another exemplary method of communicating in awireless network.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a wireless device, inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary four-address management frame format.

FIG. 13A shows an exemplary relay information element.

FIG. 13B shows exemplary relay control field values and meaningsassociated with the values.

FIG. 14A shows an exemplary reachable address update frame format.

FIG. 14B shows an exemplary reachable address element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods aredescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. This disclosure can, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structureor function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspectsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art shouldappreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover anyaspect of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein,whether implemented independently of, or combined with, any other aspectof the invention. For example, an apparatus can be implemented or amethod can be practiced using any number of the aspects set forthherein. In addition, the scope of the invention is intended to coversuch an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure,functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or otherthan the various aspects of the invention set forth herein. It should beunderstood that any aspect disclosed herein can be embodied by one ormore elements of a claim.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations andpermutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure.Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects arementioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited toparticular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather, aspects of thedisclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different wirelesstechnologies, system configurations, networks, and transmissionprotocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in thefigures and in the following description of the preferred aspects. Thedetailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of thedisclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure beingdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Popular wireless network technologies can include various types ofwireless local area networks (WLANs). A WLAN can be used to interconnectnearby devices together, employing widely used networking protocols. Thevarious aspects described herein can apply to any communicationstandard, such as a wireless protocol.

In some aspects, wireless signals in a sub-gigahertz band can betransmitted according to the IEEE 802.11 protocol using orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), direct-sequence spread spectrum(DSSS) communications, a combination of OFDM and DSSS communications, orother schemes. Implementations of the IEEE 802.11 protocol can be usedfor sensors, metering, and smart grid networks. Advantageously, aspectsof certain devices implementing the IEEE 802.11 protocol can consumeless power than devices implementing other wireless protocols, and/orcan be used to transmit wireless signals across a relatively long range,for example about one kilometer or longer.

In some implementations, a WLAN includes various interconnected devices,referred to as “nodes.” For example, the WLAN can include access points(“APs”) and stations (“STAs” or “clients”). In general, an AP can serveas a hub or base station for the WLAN and a STA serves as a user of theWLAN. For example, a STA can be a laptop computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. In an example, a STA connects toan AP via a WI-FI™ compliant wireless link (e.g., an IEEE 802.11protocol such as 802.11s, 802.11h, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and/or802.11n, etc.) to obtain general connectivity to the Internet or toother wide area networks. In some implementations a STA can also be usedas an AP.

An access point (“AP”) can also include, be implemented as, or known asa gateway, a NodeB, Radio Network Controller (“RNC”), eNodeB, BaseStation Controller (“BSC”), Base Transceiver Station (“BTS”), BaseStation (“BS”), Transceiver Function (“TF”), Radio Router, RadioTransceiver, or some other terminology.

A station “STA” can also include, be implemented as, or known as anaccess terminal (“AT”), a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, amobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a user terminal, auser agent, a user device, user equipment, or some other terminology. Insome implementations an access terminal can include a cellulartelephone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”)phone, a wireless local loop (“WLL”) station, a personal digitalassistant (“PDA”), a handheld device having wireless connectioncapability, or some other suitable processing device connected to awireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein can beincorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smartphone), acomputer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a headset, aportable computing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), anentertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satelliteradio), a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device,or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via awireless medium.

As discussed above, certain of the devices described herein canimplement one or more of the IEEE 802.11 standards, for example. Suchdevices, whether used as a STA or AP or other device, can be used forsmart metering or in a smart grid network. Such devices can providesensor applications or be used in home automation. The devices can beused in a healthcare context, for example for personal healthcare. Theycan also be used for surveillance, to enable extended-range Internetconnectivity (e.g., for use with hotspots), or to implementmachine-to-machine communications.

The transmission range of wireless devices on a wireless network is of alimited distance. To accommodate the limited transmission range ofdevices communicating on a wireless network, access points can bepositioned such that an access point is within the transmission range ofthe devices. In wireless networks that include devices separated bysubstantial geographic distance, multiple access points can be necessaryto ensure all devices can communicate on the network. Including thesemultiple access points can add cost to the implementation of thewireless networks. Thus, a wireless network design that reduces the needfor additional access points when the wireless network spans a distancethat can exceed the transmission range of devices on the network can bedesired.

A relay can be less expense than an access point. For example, someaccess point designs can include both wireless networking hardware andhardware sufficient to interface with traditional wired LAN basedtechnologies such as Ethernet. This additional complexity can causeaccess points to be more expensive than relays. Additionally, becausethe access points can interface with a wired LAN, the cost of installingmultiple access points can extend beyond the cost of the access pointitself, and can include wiring costs associated with the wired LAN, andthe labor and other installation costs associated with installing andconfiguring a wired LAN. Use of a relay instead of an access point canreduce some of the costs associated with an access point. For example,because a relay can use only wireless networking technologies, thedesign of the relay can provide for reduced cost when compared to accesspoint designs. Additionally, the ability to relay wireless traffic canreduce the need for wired LAN cabling and installation expensesassociated with access points.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 100. Thewireless communication system 100 can operate pursuant to a wirelessstandard, for example an 802.11 standard. The wireless communicationsystem 100 can include an AP 104, which communicates with STAs 106.

A variety of processes and methods can be used for transmissions in thewireless communication system 100 between the AP 104 and the STAs 106.For example, signals can be sent and received between the AP 104 and theSTAs 106 in accordance with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing(“OFDM/OFDMA”) techniques. In embodiments employing OFDM/OFDMAtechniques, the wireless communication system 100 can be referred to asan OFDM/OFDMA system. Alternatively, signals can be sent and receivedbetween the AP 104 and the STAs 106 in accordance with code divisionmultiple access (“CDMA”) techniques. In embodiments employing CDMAtechniques, the wireless communication system 100 can be referred to asa CDMA system.

A communication link that facilitates transmission from the AP 104 toone or more of the STAs 106 can be referred to as a downlink (DL) 108,and a communication link that facilitates transmission from one or moreof the STAs 106 to the AP 104 can be referred to as an uplink (UL) 110.Alternatively, a downlink 108 can be referred to as a forward link or aforward channel, and an uplink 110 can be referred to as a reverse linkor a reverse channel.

The AP 104 can act as a base station and provide wireless communicationcoverage in a basic service area (BSA) 102. The AP 104, along with theSTAs 106 associated with the AP 104, and that use the AP 104 forcommunication, can be referred to as a basic service set (BSS). Itshould be noted that the wireless communication system 100 can beconfigured as a peer-to-peer network between the STAs 106, without acentral AP 104. Accordingly, the functions of the AP 104 describedherein can alternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs 106.

The AP 104 can transmit a beacon signal (or simply a “beacon”), via acommunication link such as the downlink 108, to other nodes STAs 106 ofthe system 100, which can help the other nodes STAs 106 to synchronizetheir timing with the AP 104, or which can provide other information orfunctionality. Such beacons can be transmitted periodically. In oneaspect, the period between successive transmissions can be referred toas a superframe. Transmission of a beacon can be divided into a numberof groups or intervals. In one aspect, the beacon can include, but isnot limited to, information such as timestamp information to set acommon clock, a peer-to-peer network identifier, a device identifier,capability information, a superframe duration, transmission directioninformation, reception direction information, a neighbor list, and/or anextended neighbor list, some of which are described in additional detailbelow. Thus, a beacon can include information both common (e.g., shared)amongst several devices, and information specific to a given device.

In some aspects, a STA 106 can be required to associate with the AP 104and send communications to and/or receive communications from the AP104. In one aspect, information for associating is included in a beaconbroadcast by the AP 104. To receive the beacon, the STA 106 can, forexample, perform a broad coverage search over a coverage region. The STA106 can also perform a search by sweeping a coverage region in alighthouse fashion, for example. After receiving the information forassociating, the STA 106 can transmit a reference signal, such as anassociation probe or request, to the AP 104. In some aspects, the AP 104can use backhaul services, for example, to communicate with a largernetwork, such as the Internet or a public switched telephone network(PSTN).

FIG. 2A shows another exemplary wireless communication system 200 inwhich aspects of the present disclosure can be employed. The wirelesscommunication system 200 can also operate pursuant to a wirelessstandard, for example any one of the 802.11 standards. The wirelesscommunication system 200 includes an AP 104, which communicates withrelays 107 a-107 b and one or more STAs 106. The relays 107 a-107 b canalso communicate with one or more STAs 106. The wireless communicationsystem 200 can function in accordance with OFDM/OFDMA techniques and/orCDMA techniques.

The AP 104 can act as a base station and provide wireless communicationcoverage in the basic service area (BSA) 102. In an embodiment, one ormore STAs 106 can be located within the AP's BSA 102 while other STAscan be located outside the AP's BSA 102. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, STA 106 g can be located within the AP 104's BSA 102. As such,STA 106 g can associate with the AP 104 and perform wirelesscommunications directly with the AP 104. Other STAs such as, forexample, the STAs 106 e-106 f and 106 h-106 i can be outside the BSA 102of the AP 104. The relays 107 a-107 b can be inside the BSA 102 of theAP 104. As such, the relays 107 a-107 b can be able to associate withthe AP 104 and perform wireless communications directly with the AP 104.

The AP 104 can transmit a beacon signal (or simply a “beacon”), via acommunication link such as the downlink 108, to other nodes STAs 106 ofthe system 200, which can help the STA 106 g or the relays 107 a-107 bto synchronize their timing with the AP 104, or which can provide otherinformation or functionality. Such beacons can be transmittedperiodically. In one aspect, the period between successive transmissionscan be referred to as a superframe. Transmission of a beacon can bedivided into a number of groups or intervals. In one aspect, the beaconcan include, but is not limited to, such information as timestampinformation to set a common clock, a peer-to-peer network identifier, adevice identifier, capability information, a superframe duration,transmission direction information, reception direction information, aneighbor list, and/or an extended neighbor list, some of which aredescribed in additional detail below. Thus, a beacon can includeinformation both common (e.g., shared) amongst several devices, andinformation specific to a given device.

In some aspects, the STA 106 g and/or the relays 107 a-107 b can berequired to associate with the AP 104 and send communications to and/orreceive communications from the AP 104. In one aspect, information forassociating is included in a beacon broadcast by the AP 104. To receivesuch a beacon, the STA 106 g and/or the relays 107 a-107 b can, forexample, perform a broad coverage search over a coverage region. TheSTAs 106 and/or the relays 107 a-107 b can also perform a search bysweeping a coverage region in a lighthouse fashion, for example. Afterreceiving the information for associating, the STA 106 g and/or therelays 107 a-107 b can transmit a reference signal, such as anassociation probe or request, to the AP 104. In some aspects, the AP 104can use backhaul services, for example, to communicate with a largernetwork, such as the Internet or a public switched telephone network(PSTN).

The AP 104, along with the STAs 106 and/or the relays 107 a-107 bassociated with the AP 104, and that use the AP 104 for communication,can be referred to as a basic service set (BSS). It should be noted thatthe wireless communication system 200 can function as a peer-to-peernetwork between the STAs 106 and/or the relays 107 a-107 b, without thecentral AP 104. Accordingly, the functions of the AP 104 describedherein can alternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs 106 andthe relays 107 a-107 b.

The relays 107 a and 107 b can also act as a base station and providewireless communication coverage in a basic service area 103 a and 103 b,respectively. In an embodiment, some STAs 106 can be located within theBSA of a relay 107 a or 107 b. For example, the STA 106 e and the STA106 f are illustrated within the BSA 103 a of the relay 107 a. The STA106 h and the STA 106 i are illustrated within the BSA 103 b of therelay 107 b. As such, STAs 106 e-106 f can associate with the relay 107a and perform wireless communications directly with the relay 107 a. Therelay 107 a can form an association with the AP 104 and perform wirelesscommunications with the AP 104 on behalf of the STA 106 e-106 f.Similarly, the STAs 106 h-106 i can associate with the relay 107 b andperform wireless communications directly with the relay 107 b. The relay107 b can form an association with the AP 104 and perform wirelesscommunications with the AP 104 on behalf of the STA 106 h-106 i.

In some aspects, the STAs 106 e-106 f and the STAs 106 h-106 i can berequired to associate with the relays 107 a-107 b and sendcommunications to and/or receive communications from the relays 107a-107 b. In one aspect, information for associating is included in abeacon broadcast by the relays 107 a-107 b. The beacon signal caninclude the same service set identifier (SSID) as that used by an accesspoint, such as the AP 104, with which the relay has formed anassociation. To receive the beacon, the STAs 106 e-106 f and 106 h-106 ican, for example, perform a broad coverage search over a coverageregion. The STAs 106 e-106 f and 106 h-106 i can also perform a searchby sweeping a coverage region in a lighthouse fashion, for example.

In an embodiment, after the relay 107 a and/or 107 b has formed anassociation with the AP 104 and provided a beacon signal, one or more ofthe STAs 106 e-106 i can form an association with the relay 107 a and/or107 b. In an embodiment, one or more of the STAs 106 e-106 i can form anassociation with the relay 107 a and/or 107 b before the relay 107 aand/or 107 b has formed an association with the AP 104. After receivingthe information for associating, the STAs 106 e-106 f and 106 h-106 ican transmit a reference signal, such as an association probe orrequest, to the relays 107 a-107 b. The relays 107 a-107 b can acceptthe association request and send an association reply to the STAs 106e-106 f and 106 h-106 i. The STAs 106 e-106 f and 106 h-106 i can sendand receive data with the relays 107 a-107 b. The relays 107 a-107 b canforward data received from the one or more STAs 106 e-106 f and 106h-106 i to the AP 104 with which it has also formed an association.Similarly, when the relays 107 a-107 b receives data from the AP 104,the relays 107 a-107 b can forward the data received from the AP 104 toan appropriate STA 106 e-106 f or 106 h-106 i. By using the relayservices of the relays 107 a-107 b, the STAs 106 e-106 f and 106 h-106 ican effectively communicate with the AP 104, despite being unable todirectly communicate with the AP 104.

FIG. 2B shows another exemplary wireless communication system 250 inwhich aspects of the present disclosure can be employed. The wirelesscommunication system 250 can also operate pursuant to a wirelessstandard, for example any one of the 802.11 standards. Similar to FIG.2A, the wireless communication system 250 can include an AP 104, whichcommunicates with wireless nodes including the relays 107 a-107 b andone or more STAs 106 e-106 g and 106 j-106 l. The relays 107 a-107 b canalso communicate with wireless nodes such as some STAs 106. The wirelesscommunication system 250 of FIG. 2B differs from the wirelesscommunication system 200 of FIG. 2A in that the relays 107 a-107 b canalso communicate with wireless nodes that are other relays, such as therelay 107 c. As shown, the relay 107 b is in communication with therelay 107 c. The relay 107 c can also communicate with the STAs 106 kand 106 l. The wireless communication system 250 can function inaccordance with OFDM/OFDMA techniques or CDMA techniques.

As described above with respect to FIG. 2A, the AP 104 and relays 107a-107 b can act as a base station and provide wireless communicationcoverage in a basic service area (BSA). As shown in FIG. 2B, the relay107 c can also act as a base station and provide wireless communicationin a BSA. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the AP 104 and therelays 107 a-107 c cover a basic service area 102 and 103 a-103 c,respectively. In an embodiment, some STAs 106 e-106 g and 106 j-106 lcan be located within the AP's BSA 102 while other STAs can be locatedoutside the AP's BSA 102. For example, the STA 106 g can be locatedwithin the AP 104's BSA 102. As such, the STA 106 g can associate withthe AP 104 and perform wireless communications directly with the AP 104.Other STAs such as, for example, the STAs 106 e-106 f and the STAs 106j-l can be outside the BSA 102 of the AP 104. The relays 107 a-107 b canbe inside the BSA 102 of the AP 104. As such, the relays 107 a-107 b canassociate with the AP 104 and perform wireless communications directlywith the AP 104.

The relay 107 c can be outside the BSA 102 of the AP 104. The relay 107c can be within the BSA 103 b of the relay 107 b. Therefore, the relay107 c can associate with the relay 107 b and perform wirelesscommunications with the relay 107 b. The relay 107 b can performwireless communications with the AP 104 on behalf of the relay 107 c.The STAs 106 k-106 l can associate with the relay 107 c. The STAs 106k-106 l can perform wireless communications via indirect communicationwith the AP 104 and the relay 107 b via communication with the relay 107c.

To communicate with the relay 107 c, the STAs 106 k-106 l can associatewith the relay 107 c in a similar manner as the STAs 106 e-f associatewith the relay 107 a, as described above. Similarly, the relay 107 c canassociate with the relay 107 b in a similar manner as the relay 107 bassociates with the AP 104. Therefore, the wireless communication system250 provides a multi-tiered topology of relays extending out from the AP104 to provide wireless communications services beyond the BSA 102 ofthe AP 104. The STAs 106 e-106 g and 106 j-106 l can communicate withinthe wireless communication system 250 at any level of the multi-tieredtopology. For example, as shown, STAs can communicate directly with theAP 104, as shown by the STA 106 g. STAs can also communicate at a “firsttier” of relays, for example, as shown by the STAs 106 e-f and 106 jwhich communicate with relays 107 a-107 b respectively. STAs can alsocommunicate at a second tier of relays, as shown by the STAs 106 k-106l, which communicate with the relay 107 c.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary functional block diagram of a wireless device302 that can be employed within the wireless communication systems 100,200, and/or 250 of FIGS. 1, 2A, and/or 2B. The wireless device 302 is anexample of a device that can be configured to implement the variousmethods described herein. For example, the wireless device 302 caninclude the AP 104, one of the STAs 106 e-106 l, and/or one of therelays 107 a-107 c.

The wireless device 302 can include a processor 304 configured tocontrol operation of the wireless device 302. The processor 304 can alsobe referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). A memory 306, whichcan include both read-only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory(RAM), can provide instructions and data to the processor 304. A portionof the memory 306 can also include non-volatile random access memory(NVRAM). The processor 304 can perform logical and arithmetic operationsbased on program instructions stored within the memory 306. Theinstructions in the memory 306 can be executable to implement themethods described herein.

The processor 304 can include or be a component of a processing systemimplemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors canbe implemented with any combination of general-purpose microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate array (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers,state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicatedhardware finite state machines, or any other suitable entities that canperform calculations or other manipulations of information.

The processing system can also include machine-readable media forstoring software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean any typeof instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Instructions caninclude code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format,executable code format, or any other suitable format of code). Theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause theprocessing system to perform the various functions described herein.

The wireless device 302 can also include a housing 308 that can includea transmitter 310 and/or a receiver 312 to allow transmission andreception of data between the wireless device 302 and a remote location.The transmitter 310 and receiver 312 can be combined into a transceiver314. An antenna 316 can be attached to the housing 308 and electricallycoupled to the transceiver 314. In an embodiment, the antenna 316 can bewithin the housing 308. In various embodiments, the wireless device 302can also include multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multipletransceivers, and/or multiple antennas.

The wireless device 302 can also include a signal detector 318 that candetect and quantify the level of signals received by the transceiver314. The signal detector 318 can detect such signals as total energy,energy per subcarrier per symbol, power spectral density, and othersignals. The wireless device 302 can also include a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 320 for use in processing signals. The DSP 320 can beconfigured to process packets for transmission and/or upon receipt. Insome aspects, the packets can include a physical layer data unit (PPDU).

The wireless device 302 can further include a user interface 322, insome aspects. The user interface 322 can include a keypad, a microphone,a speaker, and/or a display. The user interface 322 can include anyelement or component that conveys information to a user of the wirelessdevice 302 and/or receives input from the user.

The various components of the wireless device 302 can be coupledtogether by a bus system 326. The bus system 326 can include a data bus,for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, and a statussignal bus in addition to the data bus. Those of skill in the art willappreciate the components of the wireless device 302 can be coupledtogether or accept or provide inputs to each other using some othermechanism.

Although a number of separate components are illustrated in FIG. 3,those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more of thecomponents can be combined or commonly implemented. For example, theprocessor 304 can be used to implement not only the functionalitydescribed above with respect to the processor 304, but also to implementthe functionality described above with respect to the signal detector318 and/or the DSP 320. Further, each of the components illustrated inFIG. 3 can be implemented using a plurality of separate elements.

The wireless device 302 can include an AP 104, a STA 106 e-106 l, or arelay 107 a-107 c, and can be used to transmit and/or receivecommunications. That is, any of the AP 104, the STAs 106 e-106 l, or therelays 107 a-107 c, can serve as transmitter or receiver devices.Certain aspects contemplate the signal detector 318 being used bysoftware running on memory 306 and processor 304 to detect the presenceof a transmitter or receiver.

FIG. 4A illustrates a wireless communications system 400, according toan embodiment. The wireless communications system 400 includes an AP104, a station (STA) 106, and a relay 107 b. Note that while only oneSTA 106 and only one relay 107 b are illustrated, the wirelesscommunications system 400 can include any number of STAs and relays. Insome embodiments, the AP 104 can be outside the transmission range ofthe STA 106. In some embodiments, the STA 106 can also be outside thetransmission range of the AP 104. In these embodiments, the AP 104 andthe STA 106 can communicate with the relay 107, which can be within thetransmission range of both the AP 104 and STA 106. In some embodiments,both the AP 104 and STA 106 can be within the transmission range of therelay 107 b.

In some implementations, the relay 107 b can communicate with the AP 104in the same manner as a STA would communicate with the AP. In someaspects, the relay 107 b can implement a WI-FI DIRECT™ point-to-pointgroup owner capability or a software-enabled access point (“SoftAP”)capability. In some aspects, a relay 107 b can associate with the AP 104and send communications to and/or receive communications from the AP104. In one aspect, information for associating is included in a beaconsignal broadcast by the AP 104. To receive such a beacon, the relay 107b can, for example, perform a broad coverage search over a coverageregion. The relay 107 b can also perform a search by sweeping a coverageregion in a lighthouse fashion, for example. After receiving theinformation for associating, the relay 107 b can transmit a referencesignal, such as an association probe or request, to the AP 104. In anembodiment, the relay 107 b can utilize a first station address whenexchanging network messages with the AP 104.

Similarly, the STA 106 can associate with the relay 107 b as if it werean AP. In some aspects, the STA 106 can associate with the relay 107 band send communications to and/or receive communications from the relay107 b. In one aspect, information for associating is included in abeacon broadcast by the relay 107 b. After receiving the information forassociating, the STA 106 can transmit a reference signal, such as anassociation probe or request, to the relay 107 b. In one embodiment, therelay 107 b can utilize a second station address that is different thanthe first station address when exchanging network messages with one ormore stations.

FIG. 4B illustrates a wireless communications system 450, according toanother embodiment. The wireless communications system 450 includes arelay 107 b, a relay 107 c, and a station (STA) 106. Note that whileonly one STA 106 and only two relays 107 b-107 c are illustrated, thewireless communications system 450 can include any number of STAs andrelays.

In some disclosed implementations, the relay 107 c can communicate withthe relay 107 b in the same manner as a station would communicate withan AP. In some aspects, the relay 107 c can implement WI-FI DIRECT™point-to-point group owner capability or SoftAP capability. In someaspects, the relay 107 c can associate with the relay 107 b and sendcommunications to and/or receive communications from the relay 107 b. Inone aspect, information for associating is included in a beacon signalbroadcast by the relay 107 b. To receive such a beacon, the relay 107 ccan, for example, perform a broad coverage search over a coverageregion. A search can also be performed by the relay 107 c by sweeping acoverage region in a lighthouse fashion, for example. After receivingthe information for associating, the relay 107 c can transmit areference signal, such as an association probe or request, to the relay107 b. In an embodiment, the relay 107 c can utilize a first stationaddress when exchanging network messages with the relay 107 b.

Similarly, the STA 106 can associate with the relay 107 c as if it werean AP. In some aspects, the STA 106 can associate with the relay 107 cand send communications to and/or receive communications from the relay107 c. In one aspect, information for associating is included in abeacon broadcast by the relay 107 c. After receiving the information forassociating, the STA 106 can transmit a reference signal, such as anassociation probe or request, to the relay 107 c. In one embodiment, therelay 107 c can utilize a second station address that is different thanthe first station address when exchanging network messages with one ormore stations.

In some embodiments, a relay (such as the relay 107 c) may not activatea SoftAP when it is not associated with a parent relay AP (such as therelay 107 b).

FIG. 4C illustrates a wireless communications system 475, according toan embodiment. The wireless communications system 400 includes an AP104, a station (STA) 106, and a relay 107 b. Note that while only oneSTA 106 and only one relay 107 b are illustrated, the wirelesscommunications system 400 can include any number of STAs and relays. Insome embodiments, the AP 104 can be outside the transmission range ofthe STA 106. In some embodiments, the STA 106 can also be outside thetransmission range of the AP 104. In these embodiments, the AP 104 andthe STA 106 can communicate with the relay 107, which can be within thetransmission range of both the AP 104 and STA 106. In some embodiments,both the AP 104 and STA 106 can be within the transmission range of therelay 107 b.

In some implementations, the relay 107 b can communicate with the AP 104in the same manner as a STA would communicate with the AP. In someaspects, a relay 107 b can associate with the AP 104 and sendcommunications to and/or receive communications from the AP 104. In oneaspect, information for associating is included in a beacon signalbroadcast by the AP 104. To receive such a beacon, the relay 107 b can,for example, perform a broad coverage search over a coverage region. Therelay 107 b can also perform a search by sweeping a coverage region in alighthouse fashion, for example. After receiving the information forassociating, the relay 107 b can transmit a reference signal, such as anassociation probe or request, to the AP 104. In an embodiment, the relay107 b can utilize a first station address when exchanging networkmessages with the AP 104.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4C, the STA 106 associates withthe AP 104, through the relay 107 b. The relay 107 b shown in FIG. 4Cdoes not implement the functionality of a separate AP, in contrast tothe embodiment discussed above with respect to FIG. 4A. In anembodiment, the relay 107 b mimics one or more aspects of the AP 104.For example, the relay 107 b can broadcast information for associatingwith the AP 104 in a beacon. The beacon can include a network address ofthe AP 104. For example, the beacon can include a media access control(MAC) address of the AP 104, instead of the MAC address of the relay 107b. After receiving the information for associating, the STA 106 cantransmit a reference signal, such as an association probe or request, tothe relay 107 b. In an embodiment, the relay 107 b can reply to theprobe request using the network address of the AP 104. For example, therelay 107 b can indicate the MAC address of the AP 104 in a proberesponse.

Accordingly, the relay 107 b can act as a tunnel or pass-through duringassociation between the STA 106 and the AP 104. The relay 107 b can beconfigured to mimic aspects of the AP 104, and can forward packets fromthe STA 106 to the AP 104. The relay 107 b can also forward packets fromthe AP 104 to the STA 106. The association between the STA 106 and theAP 104 is described below, with respect to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless communications system 500, according toanother embodiment. The wireless communications system 500 includes aplurality of nodes, including the AP 104, relays 107 a-107 h, and STAs106 x-106 z. In an embodiment, the wireless communications system 500can be a multi-hop mesh network, as described above with respect toFIGS. 2A-B.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the STAs 106 x-106 z associate with the AP 104through the relays 107 f-107 h, respectively. In turn, the relays 107f-107 h associate with the AP 104 through the relay 107 d. The relays107 c-107 d associate with the AP 104 through the relay 107 a, and therelay 107 e associates with the AP 104 through the relay 107 b. Therelays 107 a-107 b associate directly with the AP 104. In variousembodiments, additional APs, STAs, and/or relays (not shown) can beincluded in the wireless communications system 500, and some APs, STAs,and/or relays can be omitted.

Each node that associates with another node can be referred to as a“child” of that “parent” node. Children of a parent, and successivechildren of the children, can be referred to as “descendant” nodes.Parents of a child, and successive parents of the parent, can bereferred to as “ancestor” nodes. Nodes with no parents can be referredto as “root” nodes. Nodes with no children can be referred to as “leaf”nodes. As shown in FIG. 5, the AP 104 is a root node, and the relays 107c and 107 e, and the STAs 106 x-106 z, are leaf nodes. Nodes with bothparent nodes and child nodes can be referred to as intermediate nodes.As shown in FIG. 5, the relays 107 a-107 b, 107 d, and 107 f-107 h areintermediate nodes.

As discussed above, with respect to FIG. 4C, the STAs 106 x-106 z canassociate indirectly with the AP 104, through the relays 107 f-107 h,respectively. For example, the relay 107 f can transmit a beacon (orsend a probe response) including the MAC address of the AP 104. The STA106 x can receive the MAC address of the AP 104 via the beacon or proberesponse. The STA 106 x can generate an association request addressed tothe AP 104. For example, the association request can include the MACaddress of the AP 104 in an A3 field of a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU)header. The STA 106 x can transmit the association request via afour-address management frame, as discussed below with respect to FIG.12. The STA 106 x can transmit the association request in accordancewith an extensible authentication protocol (EAP) or EAP over LAN(EAPOL), via four-address data frames. The STA 106 x can transmit theassociation request to the relay 107 f, for delivery to the AP 104.

The relay 107 f can receive the association request from the STA 106 x.The relay 107 f can acknowledge the association request, and can forwardthe association request to the AP 104. In an embodiment, the associationrequest can be encrypted. The relay 107 f can forward the associationrequest to the AP 104 without decrypting the payload. In an embodiment,the STA 106 x and the AP 104 can derive encryption keys not available tothe relay 107 f.

The AP 104 can respond to the association request. For example, the AP104 can transmit an association response in a four-address managementframe, as discussed below with respect to FIG. 12. The relay 107 f canreceive the response, and can forward the response to the STA 106 x. Inan embodiment, the association can fail. When an association fails, theAP 104 can send a notification to one or more of the relays 107 a-107 h.The notification can indicate a STA address to block from the network.For example, the AP 104 can send a notification to the relay 107 a,indicating that the STA 106 x is forbidden from accessing the network.The relay 107 a can filter, reject, or drop subsequent packets receivedfrom the STA 106 x.

In an embodiment, the relay 107 a stops, filters, rejects, or dropssubsequent packets received from the STA 106 x after a preset orvariable filtering timeout or expiration. For example, the notificationto the relay 107 a, indicating that the STA 106 x is forbidden fromaccessing the network, can indicate a duration for which the STA 106 xis forbidden from accessing the network. After the filtering timeout orexpiration, the relay 107 a can allow subsequent packets received fromthe STA 106 x.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 of an exemplary method of communicating in awireless network. For example, the method of the flowchart 600 can beimplemented within the wireless communication system 200, 250, 400, 450,475, and/or 500, described above with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B,4B, and 5, respectively. Particularly, the method of the flowchart 600can be implemented by one or more of the AP 104 and the relays 107 a-h.Although the method of the flowchart 600 is described herein withparticular reference to the wireless device 302, discussed above withrespect to FIG. 3, and the wireless communication system 500, discussedabove with respect to FIG. 5, a person having ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the method of flowchart 600 can be implemented byany other suitable device. In an embodiment, the steps in the flowchart600 can be performed by a processor or controller, such as the processor304 or the DSP 320 in conjunction with one or more of the memory 306,the transmitter 310, and the receiver 312, described above with respectto FIG. 3. Although the method of the flowchart 600 is described hereinwith reference to a particular order, in various embodiments, blocksherein can be performed in a different order, or omitted, and additionalblocks can be added.

First, at block 605, a relay indicates, to a client, a network addressof an access point. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the relay 107f can broadcast a beacon, or transmit a probe response, including theMAC address of the AP 104. The STA 106 x can receive the beacon or proberesponse including the MAC address of the AP 104. In an embodiment wherethe wireless device 302 is configured as the relay 107 f, the processor304 can cause the transmitter 310 to transmit the beacon or proberesponse.

Next, at block 610, the relay can receive an association request fromthe client. The association request can be addressed to the accesspoint. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the relay 107 f canreceive the association request from the STA 106 x. The associationrequest can be addressed to the MAC address of the AP 104. In anembodiment where the wireless device 302 is configured as the relay 107f, the processor 304 can cause the receiver 312 to receive theassociation request. The association request can be stored in the memory306.

Then, at block 615, the relay can forward the association request to theaccess point. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the relay 107 f canforward the association request to the AP 104. In an embodiment wherethe wireless device 302 is configured as the relay 107 f, the processor304 can cause the transmitter 310 to transmit the association request.The association request can be retrieved from the memory 306.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a wireless device 700, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that a wireless power apparatus can have morecomponents than the simplified wireless device 700 shown in FIG. 7. Thewireless device 700 shown includes only those components useful fordescribing some prominent features of implementations within the scopeof the claims. The wireless device 700 includes means 705 forindicating, to a client, a network address of the access point, means710 for receiving an association request, from the client, addressed tothe access point, and means 715 for forwarding the association requestto an access point.

In an embodiment, the means 705 for indicating, to a client, a networkaddress of the access point can be configured to perform one or more ofthe functions described above with respect to block 605 (FIG. 6). Invarious embodiments, the means 705 for indicating, to a client, anetwork address of the access point can be implemented by one or more ofthe processor 304 (FIG. 3), the memory 306 (FIG. 3), the transmitter 310(FIG. 3), the DSP 320 (FIG. 3), and the antenna 316 (FIG. 3).

In an embodiment, the means 710 for receiving an association request,from the client, addressed to the access point can be configured toperform one or more of the functions described above with respect toblock 610 (FIG. 6). In various embodiments, the means 710 for receivingan association request, from the client, addressed to the access pointcan be implemented by one or more of the processor 304 (FIG. 3), thememory 306 (FIG. 3), the signal detector 318 (FIG. 3), the receiver 312(FIG. 3), the DSP 320 (FIG. 3), and the antenna 316 (FIG. 3).

In an embodiment, the means 715 for forwarding the association requestto an access point can be configured to perform one or more of thefunctions described above with respect to block 615 (FIG. 6). In variousembodiments, the means 715 for forwarding the association request to anaccess point can be implemented by one or more of the processor 304(FIG. 3), the memory 306 (FIG. 3), the transmitter 310 (FIG. 3), the DSP320 (FIG. 3), and the antenna 316 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of another exemplary method of communicatingin a wireless network. For example, the method of the flowchart 800 canbe implemented within the wireless communication system 200, 250, 400,450, 475, and/or 500, described above with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A,4B, 4B, and 5, respectively. Particularly, the method of the flowchart800 can be implemented by one or more of the AP 104 and the relays 107a-h. Although the method of the flowchart 800 is described herein withparticular reference to the wireless device 302, discussed above withrespect to FIG. 3, and the wireless communication system 500, discussedabove with respect to FIG. 5, a person having ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the method of flowchart 800 can be implemented byany other suitable device. In an embodiment, the steps in the flowchart800 can be performed by a processor or controller, such as the processor304 or the DSP 320 in conjunction with one or more of the memory 306,the transmitter 310, and the receiver 312, described above with respectto FIG. 3. Although the method of the flowchart 800 is described hereinwith reference to a particular order, in various embodiments, blocksherein can be performed in a different order, or omitted, and additionalblocks can be added.

First, at block 805, a device encrypts a message based, at least inpart, on an original source address, and a final destination address.The device can include an access point and/or a STA. The message caninclude an association message. The encryption can include blockchaining message authentication code protocol (CCMP) message. In someembodiments, the message can be encrypted in accordance with the IEEEstandard 802.11™-2012.

In some embodiments, the encryption can be based on additionalauthentication data (AAD). The AAD can include data that are notencrypted, but are cryptographically protected. The AAD can be based onan original source address and/or a final destination address. In anembodiment, the AAD can have an address field A1 set to the sourceaddress (e.g., an MPDU address field A4). The AAD can have an addressfield A2 set to the final destination address (e.g., an MPDU addressfield A3). The AAD can have a masked quality-of-service (QOS) controlfield.

In some embodiments, the encryption can be based on a nonce. The noncecan be a CCMP nonce. The device can compute the nonce using the finaldestination address. For example, the nonce can include an address fieldA2 set to the final destination address (e.g., an MPDU address fieldA3).

For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the device can include the AP 104and/or the STA 106 x. In particular, the STA 106 x can encrypt anauthentication request by computing the AAD and nonce based on theoriginal source address (e.g., the MAC address of the STA 106 x) and thefinal destination address (e.g., the MAC address of the AP 104). In anembodiment where the wireless device 302 is configured as the STA 106 x,the processor 304 can encrypt the authentication request. The AP 104 canencrypt an authentication response by computing the AAD and nonce basedon the original source address (e.g., the MAC address of the AP 104) andthe final destination address (e.g., the MAC address of the STA 106 x).In an embodiment where the wireless device 302 is configured as the AP104, the processor 304 can encrypt the authentication response.

Next, at block 810, the device can transmit the encrypted message to arelay for delivery to the final destination address. For example, withreference to FIG. 5, the STA 106 x can transmit the encryptedauthentication request to the relay 107 f, which can forward the requestto the AP 104. In an embodiment where the wireless device 302 isconfigured as the STA 106 x, the processor 304 can cause the transmitter310 to transmit the association request. The AP 104 can transmit theencrypted authentication response to the relay 107 f, which can forwardthe response to the STA 106 x. In an embodiment where the wirelessdevice 302 is configured as the AP 104, the processor 304 can cause thetransmitter 310 to transmit the association response.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a wireless device 900, inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that a wireless power apparatus canhave more components than the simplified wireless device 900 shown inFIG. 9. The wireless device 900 shown includes only those componentsuseful for describing some prominent features of implementations withinthe scope of the claims. The wireless device 900 includes means 905 forencrypting a message based, at least in part, on an original sourceaddress, and a final destination address, and means 910 for transmittingthe encrypted message to a relay for delivery to the final destinationaddress.

In an embodiment, the means 905 for encrypting a message based, at leastin part, on an original source address, and a final destination addresscan be configured to perform one or more of the functions describedabove with respect to block 805 (FIG. 8). In various embodiments, themeans 905 for encrypting a message based, at least in part, on anoriginal source address, and a final destination address can beimplemented by one or more of the processor 304 (FIG. 3), the memory 306(FIG. 3), and the DSP 320 (FIG. 3).

In an embodiment, the means 910 for transmitting the encrypted messageto a relay for delivery to the final destination address can beconfigured to perform one or more of the functions described above withrespect to block 810 (FIG. 8). In various embodiments, the means 910 fortransmitting the encrypted message to a relay for delivery to the finaldestination address can be implemented by one or more of the processor304 (FIG. 3), the memory 306 (FIG. 3), the DSP 320 (FIG. 3), and theantenna 316 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 of another exemplary method of communicatingin a wireless network. For example, the method of the flowchart 1000 canbe implemented within the wireless communication system 200, 250, 400,450, 475, and/or 500, described above with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A,4B, 4B, and 5, respectively. Particularly, the method of the flowchart1000 can be implemented by one or more of the AP 104 and the relays 107a-h. Although the method of the flowchart 1000 is described herein withparticular reference to the wireless device 302, discussed above withrespect to FIG. 3, and the wireless communication system 500, discussedabove with respect to FIG. 5, a person having ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the method of flowchart 1000 can be implemented byany other suitable device. In an embodiment, the steps in the flowchart1000 can be performed by a processor or controller, such as theprocessor 304 or the DSP 320 in conjunction with one or more of thememory 306, the transmitter 310, and the receiver 312, described abovewith respect to FIG. 3. Although the method of the flowchart 1000 isdescribed herein with reference to a particular order, in variousembodiments, blocks herein can be performed in a different order, oromitted, and additional blocks can be added.

First, at block 1005, an access point receives an association requestfrom a client. The association request can be forwarded by a relay. Theassociation request can be received via a four-address management frame.For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the STA 106 x can transmit theassociation request to the AP 104. The relay 107 f can forward theassociation request. Thus, the AP 104 can receive the associationrequest. In an embodiment where the wireless device 302 is configured asthe AP 104, the processor 304 can cause the receiver 312 to receive theassociation request. The association request can be stored in the memory306.

Next, at block 1010, the access point can determine a success or failureof association. The association can fail, for example, when the clientcannot authenticate to the network. For example, with reference to FIG.5, the AP 104 can determine whether the STA 106 x is authorized toaccess the network. In an embodiment where the wireless device 302 isconfigured as the AP 104, the processor 304 can determine success orfailure of the association.

Then, at block 1015, the access point can transmit, when associationfails, an indication that one or more subsequent messages from theclient should be filtered. The access point can transmit the indicationto one or more relays. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the AP 104can transmit, to the relay 107 f, an indication that the STA 106 x isforbidden from accessing the network. In turn, the relay 107 f can drop,filter, or otherwise block packets transmitted by the STA 106 x. In someembodiments, the indication that the STA 106 x is forbidden can includean implicit or explicit expiration. In an embodiment where the wirelessdevice 302 is configured as the AP 104, the processor 304 can cause thetransmitter 310 to transmit the indication that one or more subsequentmessages from the client should be filtered.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a wireless device 1100, inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that a wireless power apparatus canhave more components than the simplified wireless device 1100 shown inFIG. 11. The wireless device 1100 shown includes only those componentsuseful for describing some prominent features of implementations withinthe scope of the claims. The wireless device 1100 includes means 1105for receiving an association request from a client, forwarded by arelay, means 1110 for determining a success or failure of association,and means 1115 for transmitting to the relay, when association fails, anindication that one or more subsequent messages from the client shouldbe filtered.

In an embodiment, the means 1105 for receiving an association requestfrom a client, forwarded by a relay can be configured to perform one ormore of the functions described above with respect to block 1005 (FIG.10). In various embodiments, the means 1105 for receiving an associationrequest from a client, forwarded by a relay can be implemented by one ormore of the processor 304 (FIG. 3), the memory 306 (FIG. 3), thereceiver 312 (FIG. 3), the DSP 320 (FIG. 3), and the antenna 316 (FIG.3).

In an embodiment, the means 1110 for determining a success or failure ofassociation can be configured to perform one or more of the functionsdescribed above with respect to block 1010 (FIG. 10). In variousembodiments, the means 1110 for determining a success or failure ofassociation can be implemented by one or more of the processor 304 (FIG.3), the memory 306 (FIG. 3), and the DSP 320 (FIG. 3).

In an embodiment, the means 1115 for transmitting to the relay, whenassociation fails, an indication that one or more subsequent messagesfrom the client should be filtered can be configured to perform one ormore of the functions described above with respect to block 1015 (FIG.10). In various embodiments, the means 1115 for transmitting to therelay, when association fails, an indication that one or more subsequentmessages from the client should be filtered can be implemented by one ormore of the processor 304 (FIG. 3), the memory 306 (FIG. 3), thetransmitter 310 (FIG. 3), the DSP 320 (FIG. 3), and the antenna 316(FIG. 3).

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary four-address management frame 1200 format. Asdiscussed above, one or more messages in the wireless communicationsystem 200, 250, 400, 450, 475, and/or 500, described above with respectto FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 4B, and 5, respectively, can include thefour-address management frame 1200. In the illustrated embodiment, thefour-address management frame 1200 includes frame control (FC) field1205, a duration field 1210, a first address field 1215, a secondaddress field 1220, a third address field 1225, a sequence control field1230, a fourth address field 1235, a high-throughput (HT) control field1240, a frame body 1245, and a frame check sequence (FCS) 1250. Thefourth address field can serve, for example, as a forwarding address. Aperson having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thefour-address management frame 1200 can include additional fields, andfields can be rearranged, removed, and/or resized.

In some embodiments, a relay node STA can receive messages, such as MACservice data units (MSDUs), that are not destined for the relay node.The relay node can forward such messages via an air interface to aparent relay, using a 4-address frame format. The addressing of the4-address frame can be as follows. A first address field (for example,an A1 field indicating the receiver of the messages) can be set to anaddress (such as a MAC address) of the parent node's AP. A secondaddress field (for example, an A2 field indicating the transmitter ofthe messages) can be set to an address (such as a MAC address) of thenode's STA. A third address field (for example, an A3 field indicatingthe source address of the messages) can be set to the source address ofthe messages. A fourth address field (for example, an A4 fieldindicating the destination address of the messages) can be set to thedestination address of the messages.

In some embodiments, a relay node AP can receive messages, such as MACservice data units (MSDUs), that are not destined for the relay node orone of its associated child nodes. The relay node can forward suchmessages via an air interface to an appropriate child node, using a4-address frame format. The addressing of the 4-address frame can be asfollows. A first address field (for example, an A1 field indicating thereceiver of the messages) can be set to an address (such as a MACaddress) of the appropriate child node's STA. A second address field(for example, an A2 field indicating the transmitter of the messages)can be set to an address (such as a MAC address) of the node's AP. Athird address field (for example, an A3 field indicating the sourceaddress of the messages) can be set to the source address of themessages. A fourth address field (for example, an A4 field indicatingthe destination address of the messages) can be set to the destinationaddress of the messages.

FIG. 13A shows an exemplary relay information element 1300. One or moremessages in the wireless communication system 200, 250, 400, 450, 475,and/or 500, described above with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 4B,and 5, respectively, can include the relay information element 1300 suchas, for example, a beacon and/or probe response. In the illustratedembodiment, the relay information element 1300 includes an elementidentification (ID) 1305, a length field 1310, and a relay control field1315. A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that therelay information element 1300 can include additional fields, and fieldscan be rearranged, removed, and/or resized.

The element identifier field 1305 shown is one octet long. In someimplementations, the element identifier field 1305 can be two, five, ortwelve octets long. In some implementations, the element identifierfield 1305 can be of variable length, such as varying length from signalto signal and/or as between service providers. The element identifierfield 1305 can include a value which identifies the element as a relayelement 1300.

The length field 1310 can be used to indicate the length of the relayelement 1300 or the relay control field 1315. The length field 1310shown in FIG. 13A is one octet long. In some implementations, the lengthfield 1310 can be two, five, or twelve octets long. In someimplementations, the length field 1310 can be of variable length, suchas varying length from signal to signal and/or as between serviceproviders.

The relay control field 1315 can be configured to provide one or moreparameters supporting relay operation. The relay control field 1315shown in FIG. 13A is one octet long. In some implementations, the relaycontrol field 1315 can be two, five, or twelve octets long. In someimplementations, relay control field 1315 can be of variable length,such as varying length from signal to signal and/or as between serviceproviders. In some implementations, the relay control field 1315includes a value which indicates whether a transmitting node is a rootnode or is a relay, in which case it may be relaying an SSID of a parentnode. In the illustrated embodiment, the relay control 1315 field valueis a one-bit boolean indication. In some implementations, the relaycontrol field value can be a multi-bit field.

FIG. 13B shows exemplary relay control 1315 field values and meaningsassociated with the values. In some implementations, when the relaycontrol 1315 field value is 0, the transmitting node is a root AP node1320. In some implementations, when the relay control 1315 field valueis 1, the transmitting node is a relay and may be relaying the SSID 1325of the parent node such as, for example, the AP 104 (FIG. 5). Relaycontrol 1315 field values 2-255 can be reserved 1330.

In some implementations, when the relay control 1315 field value is from0-255, the meaning indicates a node to which the relayed SSID belongs(for example, via an address of the node originating the relayed SSID).In some implementations, when the relay control 1315 field value is from0-255, the meaning indicates a type of node, for example, a value of 0indicates a root node, a value of 1 indicates a relay associated to theroot node, a value of 2 indicates the node is a relay associated with arelay that indicated a value of 1, i.e. the field may implicitlyrepresent the number of ‘hops’ to reach the root AP. In one embodiment,a value greater than 0 also indicates that the SSID is relayed and isthe same as the root AP. In another embodiment, the SSID could bedifferent.

FIG. 14A shows an exemplary reachable address update frame 1400 format.This reachable address update frame 1400 can include information aboutaddresses that can be reached through a transmitting node, to enhancenetwork routing in implementations described herein. One or more devicesin the wireless communication system 200, 250, 400, 450, 475, and/or500, described above with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 4B, and 5,respectively, can transmit the reachable address update frame 1400. Asshown, the reachable address update frame 1400 includes a category field1405, an action field 1410, and one or more reachable addresseselement(s) 1420. A person having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the reachable address update frame 1400 can includeadditional fields, and fields can be rearranged, removed, and/orresized.

The category field 1405 shown in FIG. 14A is one octet. In someimplementations, the category field 1405 can be two, four, or twelveoctets. In some implementations, the category field 1405 can be ofvariable length, such as from signal to signal and/or as between serviceproviders. The category field 1405 can provide information thatidentifies the type of management frame being transmitted. In this case,the category can be “relay action.”

The action field 1410 shown in FIG. 14A is a one octet field. In someimplementations, the action field 1410 can be two, four, or twelveoctets. In some implementations, the action field 1410 can be ofvariable length, such as from signal to signal and/or as between serviceproviders. The action field 1410 can identify an action associated withthe category specified in the category field 1405. In this case, theaction can be a “reachable address update.” For example, a relay actionfield 1410 value of zero can indicate that the frame 1400 is a reachableaddress update frame. Action field 1410 values 1-255 can be reserved.

In some implementations, the reachable addresses element 1420 shown inFIG. 14A specifies the addresses (such as MAC addresses) that can bereached through the transmitting relay node.

FIG. 14B shows an exemplary reachable addresses element 1420. One ormore messages in the wireless communication system 200, 250, 400, 450,475, and/or 500, described above with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B,4B, and 5, respectively, can include the reachable addresses element1420 such as, for example, a beacon and/or probe response. In theillustrated embodiment, the reachable addresses element 1420 includes anelement identification (ID) 1425, a length field 1430, an address countfield 1435, and a reachable addresses field 1440. A person havingordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the reachable addresseselement 1420 can include additional fields, and fields can berearranged, removed, and/or resized.

The element identifier field 1425 shown is one octet long. In someimplementations, the element identifier field 1425 can be two, five, ortwelve octets long. In some implementations, the element identifierfield 1425 can be of variable length, such as varying length from signalto signal and/or as between service providers. The element identifierfield 1425 can include a value which identifies the element as areachable address element 1420. The length field 1430 can be used toindicate the length of the reachable address element 1420, the addresscount field 1435, or the reachable addresses field 1440. The lengthfield 1430 shown in FIG. 14B is one octet long. In some implementations,the length field 1430 can be two, five, or twelve octets long. In someimplementations, the length field 1430 can be of variable length, suchas varying length from signal to signal and/or as between serviceproviders.

The address count field 1435 shown in FIG. 14B is a two octet field. Insome implementations, the address count field 1435 can be one, four, ortwelve octets. In some implementations, the address count field 1435 canbe of variable length, such as from signal to signal and/or as betweenservice providers. The address count field 1435 can indicate the numberof addresses (such as MAC addresses) contained in the reachableaddresses field 1440. A value of zero can indicate that no reachableaddresses are included in the reachable address element 1420.

The reachable addresses field 1440 shown in FIG. 14B has a variablelength. In an embodiment, the reachable addresses field 1440 can be ntimes 6 octets in length, where n is the value specified in the addresscount field 1435. The length can vary from signal to signal and/or asbetween service providers. In some implementations, the reachableaddresses field 1440 has a fixed length. For example, the reachableaddresses field 1440 can be one, two, five, or twelve octets long.

As used herein, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety ofactions. For example, “determining” can include calculating, computing,processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in atable, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like.Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information),accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also,“determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishingand the like. Further, a “channel width” as used herein can encompass orcan also be referred to as a bandwidth in certain aspects.

As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of itemsrefers to any combination of those items, including single members. Asan example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c,a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

The various operations of methods described above can be performed byany suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as varioushardware and/or software component(s), circuits, and/or module(s).Generally, any operations illustrated in the Figures can be performed bycorresponding functional means capable of performing the operations.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules and circuits describedin connection with the present disclosure can be implemented orperformed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array signal (FPGA) or other programmable logic device(PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware componentsor any combination thereof designed to perform the functions describedherein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor can be any commercially available processor,controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

In one or more aspects, the functions described can be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as oneor more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media andcommunication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of acomputer program from one place to another. A storage media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM,EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used tocarry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connectionis properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if thesoftware is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote sourceusing a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio,and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Thus, in some aspects computer readable medium can includenon-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., tangible media). Inaddition, in some aspects computer readable medium can includetransitory computer readable medium (e.g., a signal). Combinations ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

The methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions forachieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions can beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isspecified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions can bemodified without departing from the scope of the claims.

The functions described can be implemented in hardware, software,firmware or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, thefunctions can be stored as one or more instructions on acomputer-readable medium. A storage media can be any available mediathat can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carryor store desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, asused herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray® disc where disksusually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce dataoptically with lasers.

Thus, certain aspects can include a computer program product forperforming the operations presented herein. For example, such a computerprogram product can include a computer readable medium havinginstructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions beingexecutable by one or more processors to perform the operations describedherein. For certain aspects, the computer program product can includepackaging material.

Software or instructions can also be transmitted over a transmissionmedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition oftransmission medium.

Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriatemeans for performing the methods and techniques described herein can bedownloaded and/or otherwise obtained by a user terminal and/or basestation as applicable. For example, such a device can be coupled to aserver to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methodsdescribed herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can beprovided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage mediumsuch as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a userterminal and/or base station can obtain the various methods uponcoupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, anyother suitable technique for providing the methods and techniquesdescribed herein to a device can be utilized.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the preciseconfiguration and components illustrated above. Various modifications,changes and variations can be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the methods and apparatus described above without departingfrom the scope of the claims.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure,other and further aspects of the disclosure can be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communicating in a wireless networkcomprising a relay comprising an access point (AP) side and a clientside to extend the range of the wireless network, the method comprising:indicating to a client, at the relay, a network address of the accesspoint; receiving an association request, from the client, addressed tothe access point; transmitting a message including a relay controlelement, the relay control element including a value identifying a nodetype of the relay, the value being selected from a plurality of values,wherein at least one of the plurality of values identifies the node typeas a relay associated with a relay associated to a root node, wherein atleast one of the plurality of values identifies the node type as a rootnode, wherein at least one of the plurality of values identifies thenode type as a relay associated with a root node, and wherein the relaycontrol element indicates whether the relay is transmitting a relayedservice set identification (SSID); and transmitting a reachable addressupdate frame from the relay to a parent node when a client disconnectsfrom the relay, the reachable address update frame comprising a categoryfield indicating that the frame is a relay action frame, a relay actionfield indicating that the frame is a reachable address update frame, anda reachable addresses element, wherein the reachable addresses elementcomprises a list of addresses reachable by the relay and an addresscount field indicating the number of addresses in the list.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising at least partially disabling therelay when the relay is not associated with a parent node.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at a client side of therelay, a message not destined for the client side of the relay; andforwarding the message to a parent node using a 4-address frame format.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the 4-address frame format comprises:a first address field, indicating the receiver of the message,comprising an address of an access point (AP) side of the parent node; asecond address field, indicating the transmitter of the message,comprising an address of the client side of the relay; a third addressfield, indicating the source address of the message; and a fourthaddress field, indicating the destination address of the message.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at an access point(AP) of the relay, a message not destined for the AP side of the relayor a child node of the relay; and forwarding the message to a child nodeusing a 4-address frame format.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the4-address frame format comprises: a first address field, indicating thereceiver of the message, comprising an address of a client side of thechild node; a second address field, indicating the transmitter of themessage, comprising an address of an AP side of the relay; a thirdaddress field, indicating the source address of the message; and afourth address field, indicating the destination address of the message.7. A device configured to communicate in a wireless network client sideto extend the range of the wireless network, the device comprising: anaccess point (AP) side and a client side; a processor configured toindicate to a client, a network address of the access point; a receiverconfigured to receive an association request, from the client, addressedto the access point; and a transmitter configured to transmit a messageincluding a relay control element, the relay control element including avalue identifying a node type of the device, the value being selectedfrom a plurality of values, wherein at least one of the plurality ofvalues identifies the node type as a relay associated with a relayassociated to a root node, wherein at least one of the plurality ofvalues identifies the node type as a root node, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of values identifies the node type as a relay associatedwith a root node, wherein the relay control element indicates whetherthe device is transmitting a relayed service set identification (SSID),and wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit areachable address update frame from the relay to a parent node when aclient disconnects from the relay, the reachable address update framecomprising a category field indicating that the frame is a device actionframe, a device action field indicating that the frame is a reachableaddress update frame, and a reachable addresses element, wherein thereachable addresses element comprises a list of addresses reachable bythe device and an address count field indicating the number of addressesin the list.
 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising at leastpartially disabling the device when the device is not associated with aparent node.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein: the device furthercomprises a client side receiver configured to receive a message notdestined for the client side of the device; and the processor is furtherconfigured to forward the message to a parent node using a 4-addressframe format.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the 4-address frameformat comprises: a first address field, indicating the receiver of themessage, comprising an address of an access point (AP) side of theparent node; a second address field, indicating the transmitter of themessage, comprising an address of the client side of the device; a thirdaddress field, indicating the source address of the message; and afourth address field, indicating the destination address of the message.11. The device of claim 7, wherein: the device further comprises anaccess point (AP) side receiver configured to receive a message notdestined for the AP side of the device or a child node of the device;and the processor is further configured to forward the message to achild node using a 4-address frame format.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein the 4-address frame format comprises: a first address field,indicating the receiver of the message, comprising an address of aclient side of the child node; a second address field, indicating thetransmitter of the message, comprising an address of an AP side of thedevice; a third address field, indicating the source address of themessage; and a fourth address field, indicating the destination addressof the message.
 13. An apparatus for communicating in a wireless networkcomprising a relay comprising an access point (AP) side and a clientside to extend the range of the wireless network, the apparatuscomprising: means for indicating to a client, a network address of theaccess point; means for receiving an association request, from theclient, addressed to the access point; means for transmitting a messageincluding a relay control element, the relay control element including avalue identifying a node type of the relay, the value being selectedfrom a plurality of values, wherein at least one of the plurality ofvalues identifies the node type as a relay associated with a relayassociated to a root node, wherein at least one of the plurality ofvalues identifies the node type as a root node, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of values identifies the node type as a relay associatedwith a root node, and wherein the relay control element indicateswhether the apparatus is transmitting a relayed service setidentification (SSID); and means for transmitting a reachable addressupdate frame from the relay to a parent node when a client disconnectsfrom the relay, the reachable address update frame comprising a categoryfield indicating that the frame is an apparatus action frame, anapparatus action field indicating that the frame is a reachable addressupdate frame, and a reachable addresses element, wherein the reachableaddresses element comprises a list of addresses reachable by theapparatus and an address count field indicating the number of addressesin the list.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means forat least partially disabling the apparatus when the apparatus is notassociated with a parent node.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising: means for receiving, at a client side of the apparatus, amessage not destined for the client side of the apparatus; and means forforwarding the message to a parent node using a 4-address frame format.16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the 4-address frame formatcomprises: a first address field, indicating the receiver of themessage, comprising an address of an access point (AP) side of theparent node; a second address field, indicating the transmitter of themessage, comprising an address of the client side of the apparatus; athird address field, indicating the source address of the message; and afourth address field, indicating the destination address of the message.17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for receiving,at an access point (AP) of the apparatus, a message not destined for theAP side of the apparatus or a child node of the apparatus; and means forforwarding the message to a child node using a 4-address frame format.18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the 4-address frame formatcomprises: a first address field, indicating the receiver of themessage, comprising an address of a client side of the child node; asecond address field, indicating the transmitter of the message,comprising an address of an AP side of the apparatus; a third addressfield, indicating the source address of the message; and a fourthaddress field, indicating the destination address of the message.
 19. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code that, whenexecuted, causes an apparatus to: indicate, to a client, a networkaddress of the access point; and receive an association request, fromthe client, addressed to the access point, the apparatus comprising arelay comprising an access point (AP) side and a client side to extendthe range of the wireless network, code that, when executed, causes theapparatus to transmit a message including a relay control element, therelay control element including a value identifying a node type of therelay, the value being selected from a plurality of values, wherein atleast one of the plurality of values identifies the node type as a relayassociated with a relay associated to a root node, wherein at least oneof the plurality of values identifies the node type as a root node,wherein at least one of the plurality of values identifies the node typeas a relay associated with a root node, and wherein the relay controlelement indicates whether the apparatus is transmitting a relayedservice set identification (SSID), and code that, when executed, causesthe apparatus to transmit a reachable address update frame from therelay to a parent node when a client disconnects from the relay, thereachable address update frame comprising a category field indicatingthat the frame is an apparatus action frame, an apparatus action fieldindicating that the frame is a reachable address update frame, areachable addresses element, wherein the reachable addresses elementcomprises a list of addresses reachable by the apparatus and an addresscount field indicating the number of addresses in the list.
 20. Themedium of claim 19, further comprising code that, when executed, causesthe apparatus to at least partially disable the apparatus when theapparatus is not associated with a parent node.
 21. The medium of claim19, further comprising code that, when executed, causes the apparatusto: receive, at a client side of the apparatus, a message not destinedfor the client side of the apparatus; and forward the message to aparent node using a 4-address frame format.
 22. The medium of claim 21,wherein the 4-address frame format comprises: a first address field,indicating the receiver of the message, comprising an address of anaccess point (AP) side of the parent node; a second address field,indicating the transmitter of the message, comprising an address of theclient side of the apparatus; a third address field, indicating thesource address of the message; and a fourth address field, indicatingthe destination address of the message.
 23. The medium of claim 19,further comprising code that, when executed, causes the apparatus to:receive, at an access point (AP) of the apparatus, a message notdestined for the AP side of the apparatus or a child node of theapparatus; and forward the message to a child node using a 4-addressframe format.
 24. The medium of claim 23, wherein the 4-address frameformat comprises: a first address field, indicating the receiver of themessage, comprising an address of a client side of the child node; asecond address field, indicating the transmitter of the message,comprising an address of an AP side of the apparatus; a third addressfield, indicating the source address of the message; and a fourthaddress field, indicating the destination address of the message.
 25. Amethod of communicating in a wireless network comprising a relaycomprising an access point (AP) side and a client side to extend therange of the wireless network, the method comprising: indicating to aclient, at the relay, a network address of the access point; receivingan association request, from the client, addressed to the access point;transmitting a message including a relay control element, the relaycontrol element including a value identifying a node type of the relay,the value being selected from a plurality of values, wherein at leastone of the plurality of values identifies the node type as a relayassociated with a relay associated to a root node, wherein at least oneof the plurality of values identifies the node type as a root node,wherein at least one of the plurality of values identifies the node typeas a relay associated with a root node, and wherein the relay controlelement indicates whether the apparatus is transmitting a relayedservice set identification (SSID); and transmitting a reachable addressupdate frame from the relay to a parent node when a client disconnectsfrom the relay, the reachable address update frame comprising a categoryfield indicating that the frame is a relay action frame, a relay actionfield indicating that the frame is a reachable address update frame, anda reachable addresses element, wherein the reachable addresses elementcomprises a list of addresses reachable by the relay and an addresscount field indicating the number of addresses in the list.
 26. A deviceconfigured to communicate in a wireless network client side to extendthe range of the wireless network, the device comprising: an accesspoint (AP) side and a client side; a processor configured to indicate toa client, a network address of the access point; a receiver configuredto receive an association request, from the client, addressed to theaccess point; and a transmitter configured to transmit a reachableaddress update frame from the relay to a parent node when a clientdisconnects from the relay and to transmit a message including a relaycontrol element, the relay control element including a value identifyinga node type of the relay, the value being selected from a plurality ofvalues, wherein at least one of the plurality of values identifies thenode type as a relay associated with a relay associated to a root node,wherein at least one of the plurality of values identifies the node typeas a root node, wherein at least one of the plurality of valuesidentifies the node type as a relay associated with a root node, whereinthe relay control element indicates whether the apparatus istransmitting a relayed service set identification (SSID), and whereinthe reachable address update frame comprises a category field indicatingthat the frame is a device action frame, a device action fieldindicating that the frame is a reachable address update frame, and areachable addresses element, the reachable addresses element comprisinga list of addresses reachable by the device and an address count fieldindicating the number of addresses in the list.
 27. An apparatus forcommunicating in a wireless network comprising a relay comprising anaccess point (AP) side and a client side to extend the range of thewireless network, the apparatus comprising: means for indicating to aclient, a network address of the access point; means for receiving anassociation request, from the client, addressed to the access point; andmeans for transmitting a reachable address update frame from the relayto a parent node when a client disconnects from the relay, wherein themeans for transmitting is further configured to transmit a messageincluding a relay control element, the relay control element including avalue identifying a node type of the relay, the value being selectedfrom a plurality of values, wherein at least one of the plurality ofvalues identifies the node type as a relay associated with a relayassociated to a root node, wherein at least one of the plurality ofvalues identifies the node type as a root node, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of values identifies the node type as a relay associatedwith a root node, wherein the relay control element indicates whetherthe apparatus is transmitting a relayed service set identification(SSID), and wherein the reachable address update frame comprises acategory field indicating that the frame is an apparatus action frame,an apparatus action field indicating that the frame is a reachableaddress update frame, and a reachable addresses element, the reachableaddresses element comprising a list of addresses reachable by theapparatus and an address count field indicating the number of addressesin the list.